Torchbearers

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Torchbearers are specialised task forces that, in the wake of the Great Rift's creation, were tasked to make contact with specific Space Marine Chapters and give them the ability to create their own Primaris battle-brothers.^[1]

Overview

Torchbearers were first created early during the muster of the Indomitus Crusade on Terra and were typically comprised of small, fast, heavily armed craft, garrisoned with a mixture of Silent Sisters, Emissaries Imperatus Custodes, and Greyshield Primaris of the Chapter to be reinforced. These escorts ensured that their precious cargo reached its destination regardless of threats and impediments and was put swiftly to use by its recipients.

Many Torchbearer task forces were assigned to Chapters located in distant locations from Terra, were within the Dark Imperium or else too mobile in nature, for the main thrust of the Indomitus Crusade Fleets to reach. Torchbearers assigned to these Chapters employed every asset that might lend them speed and efficacy. These included, multiple cadres of Silent Sisters, whose presence quelled the most ferocious of Warp Storms and aided the task forces in weathering an often-desperate passage to the Dark Imperium, through the madness of theGreat Rift. Some further augmented their ranks with Rogue Traders, whose ships and knowledge of hidden routes were invaluable, as well as potent Astropaths, to aid in making contact with their quarry, and Brotherhoods of Grey Knights to stave off attacks by Daemons.^[1]

Other Torchbearers were assigned to reach Chapters that were known to be nearing extinction. These task forces were then charged with determining if the Chapters still existed and if they did, then the Torchbearers were to begin replenishing their depleted strength. If, however, the Chapter had been destroyed, then it was to be reestablished from amongst the task force's Greyshields, and then charged with exacting vengeance upon whatever foe had destroyed their original forebears.

Some Torchbearers, though, were assigned to Chapters who, for reasons of doctrine, genetic heritage, or historical circumstance, were expected to resist the gift of the Primaris. In such cases these task forces' garrisons of Adeptus Custodes was typically larger than average, to leave no doubt that they delivered a boon graced by the Emperor himself.^[1]

A known battle of the Torchbearers is the War of the Spider.^[2]

Known Torchbearer Fleets

Fleet Name	Target Chapter	Leader	Notes
	Brazen Drakes[2]	Shield-Captain Atal Tyvar[2]
	Blood Ravens[4]	Shield-Captain [Apollus Pertinax]][4]
Gladius Ad Umbra[3a]	Lions Azure[3a]
Gladius Ad Umbra[3a]	Lions Azure[3a]
Task Force White Sentinels[3a]	White Sentinels[3a]
Imperator Judicium[3a]
Illuminated Right Task Force[3a]
Task Force Aggarmenus[3a]
Beacon Angelis Task Force[3a]
Task Force Hopelight[3a]
Mahj of Cironis' Fleet[3a]
Conqueror's Forge[6]			Included Grey Knights elements, took part in the Battle of Manask.[6]
Strike Force Retribution[7]			Diverted from its duties to attack the Tau Empire's forces on Jovandira[7]
	Angels Revenant[1]		Sent because the Angels Revenant were on the brink of extinction.[1]
	Black Templars[1]		Sent because the Black Templars were too far away for the main Indomitus Crusade to reach.[1]
	Raven Guard[1]		Sent because the Raven Guard were too far away for the main Indomitus Crusade to reach.[1]
	Ultramarines[1]		Sent because the Ultramarines were too far away for the main Indomitus Crusade to reach.[1]
	Knights of Mhorwen[3b]
	Silver Phoneixes[3c]
	Emperor's Spears[5]		Ended up contacting the Spears' neighbouring Chapter, the Celestial Lions, instead.[5]
	Sons of Medusa Clan Lachesis[1]		Sent because the Sons of Medusa were expected to resist the Primaris, and included higher Adeptus Custodes presence. However, the Torchbearers and the Clan fought together and the Primaris were easily accepted.[1]
	Sons of Medusa Clan Mageara[1]		Sent because the Sons of Medusa were expected to resist the Primaris, and included higher Adeptus Custodes presence. Met with expected resistance.[1]
	Sons of Medusa Clan Atropos[1]		Sent because the Sons of Medusa were expected to resist the Primaris, and included higher Adeptus Custodes presence. Met with expected resistance.[1]
			Transported the Blade of Bonding relic to an unknown Chapter[3c]
	Defenders Obscurus[8]		Saved the Defenders Obscurus from Hive Fleet Ouroboris, with aid from an Imperial Fists strike force.[8]

Sources

• 1: White Dwarf November 2019, pgs. 47-48 - Dawn of the Era Indomitus
• 2: Psychic Awakening: War of the Spider, pgs. 12-15
• 3: White Dwarf 466:
  • 3a: pgs. 53-55 - A Light in the Darkness
  • 3b: pgs. 56-59 - The Hunt for Mhorwen (Short Story)
  • 3c: pg. 65 - Torchbearers Crusade Force: Crusade Relics
• 4: White Dwarf July 2019, pgs. 18-23 - Raven's Blood (Short Story)
• 5: Spear of the Emperor (Novel), Chapter 22
• 6: Codex: Grey Knights (9th Edition), pgs. 26-27
• 7: White Dwarf December 2019, pgs. 90-92 - Battle Report: The Relics of Jovandira
• 8: Codex: Adeptus Custodes (9th Edition), pg. 34 — Emissaries Imperatus